compliment
Americannoun
-
compliments
plural
-
an expression of praise, commendation, or admiration.
A sincere compliment boosts one's morale.
- Antonyms:
- disparagement
-
an act or expression of civility, respect, or regard.
The mayor paid him the compliment of escorting him.
-
compliments, a courteous greeting; good wishes; regards.
He sends you his compliments.
-
Archaic. a gift; present.
verb (used with object)
-
compliments,
present (3rd person singular)
-
complimented,
past participle, past
-
complimenting
present participle
-
to express praise, commendation, or admiration of.
She complimented the child on his good behavior.
-
to show kindness or regard for by a gift or other favor.
He complimented us by giving a party in our honor.
-
to congratulate.
They were traveling to the capital to compliment the prince on the birth of a son.
verb (used without object)
-
compliments,
present (3rd person singular)
-
complimented,
past participle, past
-
complimenting
present participle
idioms
noun
-
a remark or act expressing respect, admiration, etc
-
(usually plural) a greeting of respect or regard
verb
-
to express admiration of; congratulate or commend
-
to express or show respect or regard for, esp by a gift
Usage
What’s the difference between compliment and complement? A compliment is a comment intended to express praise or admiration of someone. Compliment is also commonly used as a verb meaning to give a compliment. The word complement most commonly refers to something that goes along with something else and serves to make it better or complete it. It’s also commonly used as a verb meaning to serve as a complement in this way, as in That necklace really complements the rest of your outfit. Complement has many other specific meanings, but compliment is really only used to refer to a nice comment or the action of giving one. Since the primary senses of both words are generally used in positive contexts, it can be easy to confuse them. The adjective form of complement is complementary, as in complementary colors. The adjective form of compliment is complimentary, which can describe something intended to be a compliment, as in complimentary remark, or it can be used to mean that something is given for free, as in I hope we get complimentary snacks on this flight. The easiest way to remember the difference is that complement often means to complete, and complete also starts with c-o-m-p-l-e. On the other hand, compliment is spelled with an i, and compliments are something that I like to get (and give). Nice shirt, by the way. Here’s an example of compliment and complement used correctly in the same sentence. Example: The chef overheard the diners at one table complimenting the way the sauce complemented the fish, so she told the server to offer them a complimentary dessert. Want to learn more? Read the full breakdown of the difference between compliment and complement.
Commonly Confused
See complement.
See complement
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
-
complimenternoun
-
outcomplimentverb (used with object)
-
complimentableadjective
-
uncomplimentedadjective
-
uncomplimentingadjective
-
complimentinglyadverb
Inflected Forms
Nouns
Participles
Conjugated Forms
Present
-
complimentsimple
-
complimentssimple
-
have complimentedperfect
-
has complimentedperfect
-
am complimentingprogressive
-
are complimentingprogressive
-
is complimentingprogressive
-
have been complimentingperfect progressive
-
has been complimentingperfect progressive
Past
-
complimentedsimple
-
had complimentedperfect
-
was complimentingprogressive
-
were complimentingprogressive
-
had been complimentingperfect progressive
Future
Etymology
Origin of compliment
First recorded in 1570–80; from French, from Italian complimento, from Spanish cumplimiento “compliance or fulfillment of the forms of a courtesy,” from cumpli(r) “to complete” ( cf. comply) + -miento, noun suffix ( cf. -ment); earlier identical in spelling with complement
Explanation
A compliment is an expression of respect or admiration, like, "You're such a good writer," or "You know so many words!" Keep them coming. Compliments are always welcome, because they usually make people feel good. It’s saying something nice about someone or something. If you get mysterious flowers, look at the card – perhaps it will say “compliments of your upstairs neighbors,” as an apology for playing their music too loud all night. Or if you say, “my compliments to the chef!” you really liked your meal.
Vocabulary lists containing compliment
Some Tricky Homonyms
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
"Of Mice and Men"
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
The Balcony Scene from "Romeo and Juliet"
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
When you have that connection to somebody, when they respond that way, it’s the ultimate compliment.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 6, 2026
A compliment from someone who doesn’t know you feels more sincere.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 3, 2026
Yes, it’s a big responsibility and time-consuming, but it’s also a compliment.
From MarketWatch ● Aug. 1, 2026
Waters has taken comparisons to antifeminist activist Phyllis Schlafly as a compliment: After all, Schlafly was brilliant and confident and media savvy too.
From Salon ● Jul. 27, 2026
Asase seems to sense my reluctance to accept her compliment.
From "Kwame Crashes the Underworld" by Craig Kofi Farmer
Zacharek accurately referred to Miyazaki’s narratives as “wriggly, noodle-shaped things,” and not in offering her compliments to the chef.
From Salon ● Aug. 4, 2026
Little wonder then that Musk has been heaping compliments on ASML, posting on X Saturday that “ASML should be treasured. It is arguably the greatest company in Europe.”
From MarketWatch ● Jun. 8, 2026
Daphne and Eddie magnanimously turn the other cheek and then go back to lavishing one another with murmured compliments.
From The Wall Street Journal ● May 29, 2026
While the two candidates have needled each other with personal digs and insults throughout much of the campaign, they appeared to set that energy aside during the Clovis forum and even traded some compliments.
From Los Angeles Times ● May 23, 2026
The woman rarely gives compliments and seriously loves her bangles.
From "Blended" by Sharon M. Draper
He complimented her intelligence, "which is not typical in the modelling industry", Anya says, and suggested introducing her to a friend of his with connections in the fashion business: Epstein.
From BBC ● Jul. 18, 2026
This is not the first time Trump has complimented the Australian retirement program.
From MarketWatch ● Jul. 7, 2026
He complimented an Emirati journalist who asked a question, describing the man known as MBZ as a "handsome guy" whom "I can put... right now in a movie".
From Barron's ● Jun. 17, 2026
The president’s son called Navarro “my boy” and complimented him on the “jacked” physique he developed while in prison.
From Salon ● May 31, 2026
Miss Adams had complimented me on the setting.
From "The Red Car to Hollywood" by Jennie Liu
Rosé kept it simple of the carpet tonight, complimenting her ice blonde hair with a simple black bow dress.
From BBC ● Feb. 28, 2026
Students who saw our campaign were more willing to take social risks, such as complimenting peers, expressing gratitude and asking for help when they needed it.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 21, 2025
“You have to really have good stuff to be able to put up good results,” Ohtani said, while complimenting the talent of the Blue Jays’ offense.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 27, 2025
“It’s brilliant!” he whispers, complimenting her writing as propulsive.
From Salon ● Jul. 13, 2025
If he thought he was going to worm his way back into her good graces by complimenting her kid, he had another thing coming.
From "Glitch" by Laura Martin
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
